While the final week of August marked the return of college football, none of the military service academy football teams played last weekend. That is about to change. On Saturday, September 5, Air Force, Army, and Navy will watch their teams open the season with home games.
The Army Black Knights will kick off at noon Eastern time against the Bryant Bulldogs. The Air Force Falcons will open their season at 1 p.m. against the Duquesne Dukes. Then at 3:30 p.m., the Navy Midshipmen will take on the Towson University Tigers in an all-Maryland matchup.
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CBS Sports Network will broadcast the Army and Navy openers. Mountain West Plus (MW+) will stream Air Force’s season debut.
The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy
A tradition dating to 1972, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual football series between Army, Navy, and Air Force. This year’s matchups include Navy at Air Force (October 3), Air Force at Army (November 7), and the 127th Army-Navy Game on December 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Navy claimed the prestigious trophy the past two seasons.
Last season’s series demonstrated just how evenly matched the three service academies can be.
Three points or fewer decided all three matchups, with a combined seven points representing the difference in the final scores. Navy edged Air Force 34-31 on October 4, and Army defeated Air Force 20-17 on November 1. The Midshipmen closed out the series with a 17-16 victory against the Black Knights in the 126th Army-Navy Game.
Army: Veteran Offense, New-Look Defense
The Black Knights are coming off a 7-6 (4-4 American Conference) finish in 2025 that concluded with a 41-16 victory against the University of Connecticut in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl in Boston. Jeff Monken is 89-63 entering his 13th season as Army’s head coach. Second in victories only to legendary Army coach Red Blaik, Monken agreed to a contract extension through 2030 in August.
Many college football analysts predict that Army will finish in the middle of the American Conference. The Black Knights enter the 2026 campaign with last season’s starting quarterback, Cale Hellums, behind center. Hellums, who entered the 2025 season third on the depth chart, put up solid numbers after winning the starting job. The senior playcaller from Tomball, Texas, played in all 13 games last season, starting 10. Hellums accounted for 1,917 yards of total offense, including 1,223 on the ground and 694 through the air. Known primarily as a rushing threat in a heavy run-option offense, he had 304 carries and rushed for 18 touchdowns. Hellums added four passing scores.
Hellums’ breakout performance secured him a spot on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to college football’s Player of the Year.
After the graduation of slotback Noah Short—who finished second to Hellums in rushing yards in 2025—the Cadets will look to sophomore running back Godspower Nwawuihe to share the rushing load. After starting the 2025 season as a quarterback, the Garland, Texas, native moved to running back. The 2025 Wasabi Fenway Bowl Offensive MVP rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries against UConn. Nwawuihe made the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation’s top running back.
Wide receiver Brady Anderson returns to the Black Knights’ offense in 2026. Although Army prefers to run the ball, the junior from Edina, Minnesota, is considered Hellums’ top big-play target. In 13 games last season, Anderson had 14 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 27.2 yards per catch.
The Black Knights return four of five starting offensive linemen from a unit that helped Army rush for 3,485 yards in 2025 and allowed only seven sacks, the fewest in the FBS. Senior center Brady Small, a first-team conference selection the past two seasons, leads the veteran group. Small is on the Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy, and Lombardi Award watch lists.
One of the biggest question marks entering the 2026 season is the Army defense, which lost eight primary starters. Defensive lineman Jack Bousum will be counted on to assume a leadership role after recording 29 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Bousum energized the Black Knights’ faithful in last year’s Army-Navy Game when he recovered a fumble and recorded 1.5 sacks.
Despite the significant turnover, Army returns experience at several other positions on defense. Senior defensive lineman Kody Harris-Miller returns up front, while senior defensive back Jaydan Mayes also provides a veteran presence. Mayes enters his final season with six career interceptions. Senior safety Stephen Nnadozie, one of Army’s three team captains, should take on an increased role in 2026.
One area where the Black Knights will have to replace significant experience is at linebacker. Kalib Fortner and Andon Thomas departed, leaving new defensive coordinator Daryl Dixon to integrate new starters. Dixon, who is entering his 11th season on Monken’s staff, took over for Nate Woody.
Army fans attending the season opener against Bryant (1-0) will get their first look at the newly modernized East Stands at historic Michie Stadium. The centerpiece of a privately funded $170 million preservation project, the new 160,000-square-foot facility includes premium seating, suites, hospitality areas, upgraded concessions, and improved accessibility. The project also expanded the Corps of Cadets seating section from end zone to end zone while preserving the historic character of the century-old venue.
In addition to matchups against Air Force and Navy, the Black Knights are poised to face several tough American Conference opponents this season. Conference play will begin September 12 when the Cadets host South Florida. Games at Memphis on Halloween and at home against East Carolina on November 21 loom later in the season..
Navy: Building on a Historic Season
The Midshipmen are coming off one of the finest seasons in school history. Their 11-2 record (7-1 American) tied the academy’s all-time record for victories in a season. In addition to capturing the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, the Midshipmen beat Cincinnati 35-13 in the Liberty Bowl. They finished the season ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Entering his fourth season as head coach, Brian Newberry leads what many prognosticators consider the preseason favorite to win the American Conference. This optimism is due in large part to the Mids’ strengths on both sides of the ball. Despite significant losses on offense and defense, Newberry and his staff have several experienced players ready to assume larger roles.
Nowhere is this more apparent than at quarterback, where senior Braxton Woodson will replace the departed Blake Horvath. Selected to the Maxwell Award watch list, Woodson’s athleticism and speed make him a great fit for offensive coordinator Drew Cronic’s rush-heavy offense. Woodson rushed for 414 yards and six touchdowns on 44 attempts over 10 games last season. He also threw for 110 yards on 19 passing attempts.
The loss of standout offensive weapons like slotback Eli Heidenreich and running back Alex Tecza—both spent time in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp, with Heidenreich surviving the final roster cut—will require the Navy coaching staff to distribute their offensive production among several players this season.
Running back Vic Listorti is expected to play a significant role in replacing Tecza after a hamstring injury limited him in 2025. Senior wide receiver Luke Hutchison also looks to return to full health this season after missing significant time with a shoulder injury last season. Although the rushing attack remains the main focus of Navy’s offense, Hutchison represents a significant deep-threat option for the Mids.
Woodson and Navy’s other returning offensive weapons will benefit from an experienced offensive line that returns four starters from last season. The veteran unit helped pave the way for a Midshipmen rushing attack that led the FBS with 285.6 yards per game in 2025. Senior center Cam Nichols anchors the group. He earned a spot on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s top center.
On the defensive side, Navy returns several experienced players. The Midshipmen, though, will have to replace one of the nation’s top defensive linemen, Landon Robinson. Senior defensive tackle Griffen Willis returns after recording 48 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks in 13 games last season.
While Navy faces some uncertainty along the defensive front, the Midshipmen return considerable experience at linebacker. Junior MarcAnthony Parker and senior Coleman Cauley lead that group. Parker emerged as one of Navy’s most productive defenders in 2025, leading the team with 97 tackles while adding 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Cauley finished third on the team with 79 tackles while forcing a team-high three fumbles and intercepting two passes. He recorded 10 tackles and returned an interception 5 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl.
Navy also returns a veteran secondary. Senior safety and co-captain Giuseppe Sessi started all 13 games in 2025 and made 81 tackles, second on the team. He will be joined by junior safety Phillip Hamilton, who recorded 49 tackles and a team-high three interceptions last season. Hamilton made one of the biggest plays in the Army-Navy Game, intercepting Cale Hellums in the fourth quarter to help set up the Midshipmen’s game-winning touchdown in the 17-16 victory.
After its matchup against Towson (0-1) this weekend, the Midshipmen will begin conference play September 12 against Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. Key conference matchups for Navy include games at UTSA on October 17 and against Memphis on November 21. The Mids will travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Halloween for their long-standing rivalry game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Scheduled for a noon kickoff at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, the contest will mark the 99th meeting between the programs. The series dates to 1927. Last season, Notre Dame defeated Navy 49-10.
Air Force: Looking to Rebound After Challenging Back-to-Back Seasons
Air Force is coming off its second consecutive losing season after finishing 4-8 last season. The Falcons finished 5-7 in 2024. The Falcons lost several hard-fought contests, including three games by just three points each, and particularly struggled in conference play, finishing 3-5 in the Mountain West. Despite their struggles, the Falcons ended the season with a convincing 42-21 victory against Colorado State, capturing the Ram-Falcon Trophy.
Head coach Troy Calhoun enters his 20th season with Air Force. An Air Force Academy graduate and Air Force veteran, Calhoun has compiled a 139-97 record while leading the program.
Junior quarterback Liam Szarka leads the offense. Last season, the dual-threat playcaller emerged from a crowded field to play in 10 games and start seven before he broke his arm against UConn on November 15. That injury ended his season. Szarka rushed for 922 yards and 13 touchdowns on 190 attempts in 2025, averaging 92.2 yards per game. He threw for 1,294 yards and nine touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen will look to returning fullback Owen Allen to help ignite the Falcons’ offense again this season. The senior from Southlake, Texas, finished second behind Szarka with 750 rushing yards on 132 carries. He added five touchdowns and recorded five 100-yard rushing performances despite not making a start last season.
Air Force lost its top three receivers from last season, but wide receiver Jonah Dawson returns. The junior is expected to be Szarka’s top target this season. The California native appeared in eight games last season, compiling 260 receiving yards and a touchdown on 12 receptions. Against Army last season, he recorded a career-high four catches for 67 yards.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Falcons’ offense will be replacing significant experience in the trenches. Air Force lost eight offensive starters from last year’s team, including veteran linemen Costen Cooley, Jack Burnett, and Trevor Tate. Senior offensive lineman TJ Tarascio will be counted on to help provide stability to the rebuilt unit after appearing in 11 games last season.
Senior offensive tackle Luke Vonderhaar is also among the returning linemen expected to assume a larger role this season. He appeared in seven games and started twice last season, contributing to an offensive line that helped Air Force rank third nationally with 261.4 rushing yards per game. Vonderhaar’s final season at the Air Force Academy also comes after his recent selection to commission into the U.S. Space Force upon graduation.
While the Falcons’ offense faces significant personnel turnover, Air Force returns seven starters from last year’s unit. Defensive coordinator Steve Russ rejoins Troy Calhoun’s staff after spending last season with American Conference rival UAB.
Senior linebacker Blake Fletcher, who emerged as one of the Mountain West’s top defenders last season, leads the unit. Fletcher started all 12 games in 2025 and led the Falcons with 108 tackles, becoming the first Air Force player to surpass 100 tackles in a season since 2018. His strong performance earned him Second-Team All-Mountain West honors. Fletcher is on the preseason watch lists for both the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Senior outside linebacker Isaac Hubert returns after leading the Falcons with 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks last season.
Air Force also returns considerable experience in the secondary. Junior safety Roger Jones Jr. finished second on the team with 76 tackles while adding two interceptions in 2025. Sophomore safety Max Mustell emerged as a playmaker during his freshman campaign, recording 59 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.
The Falcons will replace significant production along the defensive line after Daniel Grobe, Payton Zdroik, and Aidan Swartz departed. Zdroik, a second-team All-Mountain West selection last season, represents a particularly significant loss. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams last spring.
Air Force will open Mountain West Conference play with a significant challenge when the Falcons host newly elevated FBS program North Dakota State at Falcon Stadium on September 12. Many college football analysts expect UNLV and New Mexico near the top of the conference. Air Force will welcome UNLV to Colorado Springs on October 17 before traveling to Albuquerque to face New Mexico in the regular-season finale on November 27.
Anticipation for the 2026 Season
With Army looking to build around an experienced offense, Navy hoping to follow up one of the finest seasons in program history, and Air Force eager to rebound from back-to-back losing campaigns, the 2026 service academy football season promises plenty of excitement.
All three programs enter the year with something to prove. With all three service academies opening their seasons at home on September 5, fans will not have to wait long for their first official look at the 2026 Black Knights, Midshipmen, and Falcons squads.
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